Hello,
I am attempting to corroborate the history of my great-uncle's plane in Europe prior to when he received it and flew it in North Africa. This is what I know:
 
In an account written by Emmet  E. Cook, Sr. published in the 301st BG's newsletter, The Raven (No. 47, September 2002), he states that he and the rest of the crew flew B17F 41-24352 with the "97th Group as a fill-in on the 17th of August 1942 to Rouen, France. It was, as I recall, a milk run."
 
In my amateur sleuthing, I can find no other reference to a fill-in plane on that mission. There were no aborts, but I'm guessing that it wouldn't have happened at assembly because they would have needed to be in the mission briefing. Also, most references say the planes were all B17Es. The only thing I have confirmed is that 41-24352 had arrived in England prior to Mission #1, but at least on arrival was based at Chelveston, which is not where either the main group or the diversionary group flew out of.
 
Can anyone shed any light on this or point to an official list of planes that flew both the main and diversionary routes? Any help is most appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
Katrina Baxter
 
 

Katrina - This doesn't make much sense.
The 97th BG had 30+ Operational B - 17s at time of Mission.
The 301st BG was Not Operational and still in Training.
What Group was Uncle in?
Did he fly on # 41 - 24352 " Holey Joe " ?
Mike 

Mike,
Thanks for responding. You're right. It doesn't make much sense, which is why I'm trying to find something to corroborate. I learned that Mr. Cook past away last summer, so I can't clarify with him. My uncle was the pilot on 41-24352 "Holey Joe" beginning in March of 1943. He lost his plane (Junior)when another crew (Holey Joe's crew) borrowed it because Holey Joe was having engine trouble. Emmet Cook and the rest of Holey Joe's crew were shot down over Palermo in the borrowed plane (Junior). My uncle then inherited Holey Joe. THis is of course after they were transferred to 12th. I am writing up my uncle's experiences and wanted to include a bit of HOley Joe's back story. It was while I was doing this that I found Mr. Cooks reference to Mission#1. As I said I've been unable to find any support for his statement to date. Mr. Cook specifically mentions two other crew who were on this mission (2nd Lt. Jim Hair, and 2nd lt. Alex Yonych).
 
My uncle, Capt. George Peabody was 301stBG, 352nd BS.
 
I'm puzzled and wondering if Emmet Cook might have err'd somehow, but if so, I wonder what mission it actually was.
Katrina

Katrina...Some of the confusion may be explained by the 301st first mission was also to Rouen, but not unitl 5 Sep 42.

As Mike said, the 301st was in training when the 97th first mission was flown on 17 Aug 42.

I have Dick Drain's 5th Wing History of Aircraft Assigned, with each 5th Wing Bomb Group missions.

I also have the 97th History Book Venit Hora, and little is said about the details of the first 97th mission to Rouen,other than the raid was successful with a smattering of flak holes in Fortresses and a gunner credited with the destruction of one enemy fighter.

Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

I think I may have to be content with never knowing how the confusion occurred. However, before I hang up my hat on the topic, if you will indulge me, I'll post the entire relevant section of Cook's account:
 
"...Now our crew had no plane. Since Lt. Ortez had been flying weather for the Group without a combat crew, the B17F, 41-24352, was then assigned to 2nd Lt. Jim Hair and crew along with a new navigator, 2nd Lt. Alex Yonych. This Crew flew their first combat mission with the 97th Group as a fill-in on the 17th August 1942 to Rouen, France. It was, as I recall, a milk run."
 
He continues on about their next mission. Jim, this is relevant to your comment about the 301st first mission also being Rouen but 5 Sept 42.
 
"... On 5 Sept 42 the Rouen Marshalling Yards was scheduled again which was the first Combat Mission of the 301st Bomb Group as a Group." (This distinction between the two Rouen missions niggles me, I must admit.)
 
He then lists Rotterdam, Mesuite, and Lille on 9 Oct 42, Brest, Lorient, and another to Lille, after which they departed to North Africa.
 
Jim, does Dick Drain's book list the tail numbers of planes on the mission, main and diversionary? Sorry to be bulldogish about it. Preferably I'd like to find the evidence that refutes this (or proves), but if I can't I shall have to be content with that.
 
Thanks again for the responses.
 
Katrina
 
 

Katrina...Dick Drain's book lists all of the 5th Wing's aircraft arranged by Bomb Group. It also lists each mission flown by each Bomb Group at the end of each Bomb Group listing.
 
It does not however, list the missions flown by each aircraft....it primarily lists what happened to each aircraft...and ONLY lists an aircrew of an aircraft if lost on a mission, by the pilot's crew by his full name with other crew members last name only...and will list the Missing Air Crew Report by number.
In some cases it may list the total missions flown and if a transfer was between Bomb Groups, may list the totel flown by each Bomb Group.
 
Example :  2nd BG    49   42-3032   Transfer to 483rd BG 31 Mar 44. To Walnut Ridge 14 Dec 45. Flew 22 missions with 2nd BG.
 
483rd BG   MARY JANE    840   Transfer from 2nd BG  31 MAr 44. To Walnut Ridge 14 Dec 45.
 
2nd BG   44-8581      449   PFF Aircraft Flew 30 missions. Salvaged  overseas 19 Nov 47.
 
2nd BG   44-8820     49     PFF Aircraft MIA Vienna 16 Mar 45 on its 6th mission . Crash landed in Hungary,crew safe. Col Richard Waugh crew, Blanton, Stark, Swift, Pierard, Taylor, Wade, Calabrese, Abbott, Freeman,(MACR 13260).
 
Jim :-)
 
 

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

From reading the full account you posted, I don't think that just because the crew reportedly flew the mission, that they necessarily did so on that particular plane.  Although it is implied because the plane is mentioned, it does not specifically say they flew it on this mission.  I have read of other accounts where a crew from one BG, especially a new group would be assigned to fly one or more missions with another group to gain experiance.
 
The only way to verify if this crew flew this plane on this mission would probably be to check the mission records/loading lists at the National Archives in College Park. 
 
Marty

Katrina -
# 41 - 24352 " Holey Joe "
Transferred - Tafaraoui , NA 11/24/42
Crash Landed 5/9/43 - Lt. Peabody Crew
Repaired / Regained
Battle Damage 11/6/43
Returned to U.S. 10/22/43
RFC Walnut Ridge , Ark. - Scrapped  10/31/45
In Book The Mighty Eighth by Freeman , he has a Narrative of the Mission
There is no mention of a 301st BG B - 17.
Diversion Force : 3 B - 17s from 340th Sq. , 3 from 341st
Attack Force : 11 B - 17s from 342d Sq. and 414th Sq. and 1 from 340th Sq.
Mike